Stanchion.



1. JAMES.

smcmow. APPLICATION HLED AUG-l8. l9l3.

1,21 1,586, Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

osrrnn snares an JOHN JAMES, OF FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE JAMES MANUFAG- TUBING COMPANY, OF FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN.

STANCHION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 9, 1917.

Application filed :August 18, 1913. Serial No. 785,194.

My invention relates to improvements in,

cattle stanchions and it pertains more especlally, among other things, to the device for locking and retaining the inclinable standard of a pair of stanchions in its closed or vertical position in connection with the stationary standard.

The object of my invention is to provide simple, inexpensive and durable mechanism for looking a pair of stanchion bars in closed or animal retaining position. The inclinable bar being adapted to be swung to closed position and automatically locked during the final movement to closed position.

My invention is explained by reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 represents a plan view thereof, and Fig. 2 is a side view.

Like parts are identified by the same ref erence numerals in both views.

The stanchion bars may be of ordinary construction except at the top where my improved locking device is located, the drawings therefore only show the inturned upper end portions of the stanchion bars together with the locking mechanism.

1 is the upper end of the relatively stationary stanchion bar and 2 represents the upper end of'the inclinable stanchion bar. The lower ends of the bars 1 and 2 are adapted to be connected with the lower stanchion supporting frame in any convenient manner, while the upper end of such stanchion is also adapted to be connected with the upper frame member in any convenient manner and invention herein be predicated more especially upon the means of locking the upper end of the inclinable stanchion bar 2 to the stantionary stanchion bar 1 and the mechanism for releasing the upper end of the inclinable stanchion bar. The stationary stanchion bar 1 is provided with a latch or looking member 3 which is pivotally connected therewith through the angular shaft 4 and the member 3 is normally thrown down into the locking position shown in Fig. 2 by the recoil of the springs 5. The springs 5 are connected at one end with the member 3 through the members 6 and at their opposite ends with the member 1 'through the bolt 7. The member 2 is T- shaped in cross section, comprising a hori- 'zontal member 8 and a vertical flange 9. The vertical flange 9 is provided with a recess 10 for reception of the latch'or looking member 3.

11,11 are curved fingers which are formed integral or rigidly connected with the mem ber 1 and they are adapted to serve as guides to the stanchion bar 2 as the same is brought into locking engagement with the stanchion bar 1. The upper face of the flange 9 at the inner end 12 of the inturned portion of stanchion bar 2 inclines downwardly, preferably along a curved line, whereby when the inclinable bar 2 is swung inwardly to its closed or animal retaining position the downwardly inclined portion 12 of the flange 9 passes underneath the U-shaped locking member 3, whereby the locking member 3 is raised and caused to slide over and upon the inclined surface 13 of said standard 2 until it reaches the recess 10, when said member 9 is thrown down into said recess 10 with a quick positive movement by the recoil of the springs 5, whereby the standard 2 is retained in its locked or vertical position.

The locking member 3 is provided with an angular aperture 14 for the reception of the angular shaft 4 and said locking member is raised and brought out of locking engagement with the member 2 simply by turning said shaft in its supporting bearings. As a means of turning the shaft 4,1". preferably provide the same with hand wheels 15, whereby as either one of said hand wheels 15 is turned a partial revolution, said look ing member 3 will be brought out of said recess 10, whereby the standard 2 will be released and may be thrown back preparatory to admitting the head and neck of the animal between the respective standards. While the locking member 3 may be actuated and brought to its locking position with a single spring 5, I preferably provide two springs 5 as more clearly shown in Fig. 1, whereby said member 3 is brought to its locking position by the coiiperation of both of said springs.

It will be understood, that while I have shown and described the locking member as being actuated by two springs, I do not wish to limit or confine my device to said springs as said locking member may be actuated by other forms of springs and the spiral. springs dispensed with. I wish it also to be understood that While I have shown'hand; Wheels 15 in connection with the respective ends of the shaft 4- for disengagingthe l0ck 7 ing member 3, one of said wheels may, if desired, be dispensed with or either one 'or both of said wheels may be substituted :by an actuating handle orlever. The form shown, however, is preferred as the stanchions may be readily unlocked from eithertheirfronfi or rear sides by simply turning one of said conver 'n "u er'end' ortions -a transverse operating shaft pivoted-to one of said upper end portions and provided with an operat' ing handle,a U-shaped latch member mount ed upon'said shaft and held against rotation thereon, a spring-connectingsaid latchmeinber belowthe shaft with the latch supp0r.t ing stanchion bar, said' spring having ten-- sion to draw the .-.-latch-' downwardly, and 'a flange carried by the converging portion of theother stanchion bar and provided with anotch in-which said latch may engage, the upper margin of said flange having-adown; wardly tapering inclinationat its inner end, whereby itmay pass underneath the latch andliifit the same in position for engagement with-said notch with the side arms of the latchrgonplopposite sides of said flange.

2. In a device of the described class, the combination of-a 'pairof stanchions, a revoluble shaft supported from and arranged transversely to the upper ends of one of said: stanchions, handles. rigidly afliXed to the i protruding ends of'said shaft, a Ushaped? latch centrally-affixed to saidishaft between.- said handles,-a pair of 'springsnfor normally retaining the front end of said latch in its locked position, whereby said latch is caused.

to engage said inclinable stanchion when brought to its vertical posit-ion,sa id'h'andles being adaptedto enable a perso'neto revolve said 'shaft'iand disengage :said latchfrom the inclinable -member of said stanchion, from either the front "orrear sideof fSiLlCl stanchions, all substantially as and -"-for'the pur; pose specified.

Intestimony whereof I affi'zi: my signaturein the presence of two Witnesses..-

JOHN JAMES-L: Witnesses:

LORRAINE MATTooN, 1 EVA SMITH.

comes-M41118 patent may be obtained five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner-bLIatents I Washington, D. 0. V 

